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"I'm staying with the Pacers."

I don't think about that, Stephenson said after matching his regular season career high with 22 points while hitting a career-high five three-pointers in seven attempts. It's a long season, I'm not thinking nothing about contracts. I'm going to stay with the Pacers, so I'm not even thinking about the contract.

Going to stay? Does that mean he would turn down a larger offer to re-sign?

Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

Take this with a grain of salt. Any player with any sense of PR would say something to that affect. Even if he does mean it, which I don't doubt that he does want to stay, he could easily change his mind by the time summer comes around and he is getting offers from other teams. The only important thing he said is he isn't thinking about it, which is exactly what you want. Once players start thinking about their next contract while they are playing is when your players stop thinking team first, and start thinking me first.

Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

Take this with a grain of salt. Any player with any sense of PR would say something to that affect. Even if he does mean it, which I don't doubt that he does want to stay, he could easily change his mind by the time summer comes around and he is getting offers from other teams. The only important thing he said is he isn't thinking about it, which is exactly what you want. Once players start thinking about their next contract while they are playing is when your players stop thinking team first, and start thinking me first.

Yeah, didn't Roy used to stay this sort of stuff a couple of years ago? Then we all saw how he was ready to bolt for Portland in a heartbeat if the Pacers wouldn't have ponied up the cash. Priorities change when the $$$$$$ becomes reality.

I don't doubt that Lance would prefer to stay here if all offers are equal. But make no mistake, he'll bolt in a heartbeat if someone is willing to give him more. He's been making absolute pennies by NBA standards while he's watched some teammates make double digit millions. It's finally going to be his time to cash in for himself and his family, and he will max it out as he should. This November quote is nice and all, but it will be meaningless in the off-season when teams are throwing money at him. Young dudes who are signing the first big contracts of their careers don't leave jack sitting on the table.

You can be happy anywhere if you're getting paid millions to play a child's game. These guys can get over leaving a place pretty easily.

Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

Young dudes who are signing the first big contracts of their careers don't leave jack sitting on the table.

I don't think that is 100% true, 99% true yes, but I don't think all players are only about the money. I just think it is a matter of degree. I don't think many would take a million or two less like older players might to be on a championship team. I can see players take 500k or 250k less in order to stay on a team that believed in him while everyone else passed on him, or in order to play on a team where he might play a bigger role, which could lead to a bigger contract down the line.

Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

This is good to hear. It sounds like he's going to let the Pacers play on some sort of restricted free agency with Lance. They'll negotiate directly with the Pacers, put out feelers for other teams that are interested, and they'll use what the other teams place his value at as a starting point for his negotiations with the Pacers.

Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

Take this with a grain of salt. Any player with any sense of PR would say something to that affect. Even if he does mean it, which I don't doubt that he does want to stay, he could easily change his mind by the time summer comes around and he is getting offers from other teams. The only important thing he said is he isn't thinking about it, which is exactly what you want. Once players start thinking about their next contract while they are playing is when your players stop thinking team first, and start thinking me first.

I agree. However, it's still a pretty big positive, IMO. Considering that maturity has been the big question with Lance (remember the choke sign), having him provide a savvy, mature, team centric answer is just another good indication that he may be becoming a "pro". We've always knew he had significant talent. We are now are seeing him put it together on and off the court.

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Plus Bird and him seem to be pretty close. When Bird was gone last year, he and Lance still exchanged text messages. He's Bird's boy, he ain't letting him go anywhere. Just hopefully we don't overpay.

Yep. I think Bird coming back is really the thing that makes Lance want to stay here, given the relationship between the two. Bird has believed in Lance since day one, despite any distractions occurring along the way. Having that type of presence, especially one the caliber of Larry, goes a long way.

Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

I think all this means is that hes not going to want to leave as long as we are willing to pay him like other teams. Where as Gordon wanted to leave NO, so much that he didn't want them to match the Suns offer.

Good to hear. He probably recognizes what him and George can do the next couple years.

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I honestly think that it's less a sentiment of loyalty and more that he likes playing for Vogel and with this team.

Could be...but the impression that I get is that Lance and Bird has a very strong "Father/Son" relationship ( in relation to Lance's NBA career ) citing the many times that Bird has praised Lance, his development and even when Bird was off during the Year the times he kept in touch with him. I wouldn't be surprised if Lance does re-sign with the Pacers that he immediately sites his relationship with Bird as one of the key factors as to why he chose to stay with the Team.

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Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

Lance will probably get paid well. And we will probably be the ones to pay him. Granger might not come back, Scola might not get picked up, and Mahinmi or Copeland, both of whom have value, might get traded. But Lance will get paid. Let's enjoy the season.

if it gets to a point where keeping Lance is even a concern (because he's playing like this), we probably will win the championship. I don't think he will keep it up but I'm hopeful.

Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

Lance will probably get paid well. And we will probably be the ones to pay him. Granger might not come back, Scola might not get picked up, and Mahinmi or Copeland, both of whom have value, might get traded. But Lance will get paid. Let's enjoy the season.

if it gets to a point where keeping Lance is even a concern (because he's playing like this), we probably will win the championship. I don't think he will keep it up but I'm hopeful.

I am 99% sure that Scola's contract will be picked up next season. Bird said that he has been interested in Scola for the longest time. Given the VERY CHEAP price that his 2014-2015 Salary is set at....basically a Borderline Starting Big Man at a $4.9 mil....I see him being in a Pacer uniform for another season. He's a classic example of a Player that gives a huge "bang for the buck".

I'd say that Mahinmi and Copeland are the prime targets for being moved....but Copeland being the likely candidate. The depth in the Frontcourt is minimal...where as the depth at the spot that Copeland plays at...the backup SF/PF spot....there is enough depth where losing Copeland ( to an expiring Contract ) isn't as much of an impact as losing Mahinmi ( who I think plays a more critical role on the Team ).

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I don't think a player should ever be expected to leave money on the table or be talked **** about for taking the most he can get. But I really think Lance is a case where if we offer say 4/24 and he gets an offer for 4/30 elsewhere he'd stay. If it were 4/40 or something who could blame him for taking it, but I get the sense he really genuinely appreciates what the franchise has done for him and if it's a "negligible" he'd take a lesser offer

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You can call it immaturity, but I call it gamesmanship. He's pretty much the only player in the NBA in Lebron James's head.

c'mon. the only way Lance got in Lebron's head was Lebron saying "yo Dex, go commit felony assault on that idiot that doesn't know who he is when you get the chance." I like Lance, but let's stay grounded here, he's not about to intimidate the best basketball player in history.

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Re: "I'm staying with the Pacers."

Lance should want to stay a Pacer. The organization has stood behind him and helped him develop into a legit NBA player. Having said that his next contract could be the most important of his career from a financial standpoint. The Pacers will still need to clear enough cap space to match (or close to match) any offers. If he continues playing this way it will be a substantial contract.